COURSE CURRICULUM

The Exercise Science (EXS) program at DePaul University provides students with a strong scientific foundation to understand human movement, physical fitness, and overall health. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in health sciences, fitness, rehabilitation, and for advanced study in fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, and sports medicine.Students begin with core science-based courses such as Human Anatomy and Kinesiology, which help them understand how the human body is structured and how muscles, bones, and joints work together to produce movement. Physiology of Exercise builds on this knowledge by explaining how the body responds and adapts to physical activity, including changes in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems during exercise.Health and Nutrition is another important area of study, focusing on how diet and lifestyle choices affect physical performance, recovery, and long-term wellness. Athletic Injuries introduces students to common sports-related injuries, their causes, prevention strategies, and basic treatment approaches, which is essential for working with active populations.Human Growth and Development provides insight into how the body changes across the lifespan, helping students understand physical development from childhood through older adulthood and how exercise needs vary at different life stages.The program also offers two academic tracks: a General track for broader career preparation and a Pre-Physical Therapy track for students planning to pursue graduate-level physical therapy programs. This track helps students complete prerequisite coursework needed for admission to competitive PT schools.Overall, the Exercise Science program combines biology, anatomy, physiology, and applied health knowledge to prepare students for careers in fitness training, rehabilitation support, sports performance, and advanced health-related studies.